"Shikamaru!" The whole situation is bewildering and worrying, and Chouji still doesn't understand enough of what's going on. That doesn't seem to matter quite as much, though, when he hears Shikamaru. His best friend has always been the strongest source of reassurance in Chouji's life. That hasn't changed. Both of his teammates are here, and Team Ten has always been stronger as a unit than they are separately.

Chouji smiles in spite of himself, adding a little guiltily, "Ino's already scolded me, so you don't have to." After all, if Ino can figure out what Chouji did, he highly doubts Shikamaru will fail to reach the same conclusion. "She didn't yell, though."